Looking radiant in Radiant Red, this 2004 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Xtracab 4×4 pickup is in the Pacific Northwest, maybe the best corner of the U.S. to find vehicles. It’s not a 100% guarantee, but they typically aren’t rusty from road salt and aren’t burnt to a crisp from relentless desert sun. The seller has this 4×4 listed here on eBay in Clackamas, Oregon; there is no reserve, and the current bid price is $14,700.
The perfect pickup body style, in my opinion, the “Xtracab” is what Toyota called the additional space behind the front seats. Ford used SuperCab, Dodge had the Club Cab, Chevy’s version was the Extended Cab (come on, no fancy name?!), Nissan had the King Cab, and most truck makers by the mid-1970s had a version of this. We never received the four-door Toyota Tacoma here in the U.S. and Canada, that I know of, at least from the showroom. This truck has what would have been optional fender flares, and it also has the SR5 package.
This is the last year of the first-generation Toyota Tacoma here in the U.S. and Canada, and they were available beginning in January of 1995. This is the one you want, as the early trucks can have frame issues due to water being trapped in the box frame. The initial recall was for the 1995 through 2000 trucks, but was later extended to all of them through, yes, 2004. Ok, they were all on the recall list, but still, I personally like the later first-generation trucks. The seller has provided a couple of underside photos, but it’s hard to tell what it really looks like under there.
The interior looks perfect to me, not to mention the perfect five-speed manual shifter poking out there next to the two-speed transfer case shifter. My tiny Dodge D-50 Sport pickup can’t hold a candle to a nice truck like this Tacoma in any category. This one is much nicer, quieter, has much more leg and head room, plus the all-important space behind the front seats would be a dream. The bed has a liner in it, and I’m hoping it’s perfect under that plastic liner.
The engine is Toyota’s mama bear/middle engine, a 2.7-liter DOHC inline-four with 150 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the 5-speed manual and transfer case sending power to all four wheels as needed, the seller says it’s a smooth-running and driving truck and has never been off-roaded or abused. It looks like a gem to me. Have any of you owned a Tacoma from this era?
These Toyotas have a high floor / low seat feeling that takes some time to get used to. Tiny on the inside as well. But of course fantastic reliability, 2.7 4cyl will run a long time. 2 sticks, as a proper 4wd should have. Great little light trucks. Thanks SG.
I agree with you Stan…… A proper truck should have 3 pedals ( and I don’t mean the emergency brake either) and 2 sticks coming out of the floor lol.
You’re on the money with the shallow floor too. It is a bit different. But you get used to it. Nice truck here for sure.
I still can’t wrap my head around the prices that old (actually not THAT old) cars and trucks are getting
I have a red 2004 extra cab now, in the same red, but it is not a 4×4. It is a manual just like i wanted. I have owned it longer than any car or truck i have ever had, and tell everybody it is the best vehicle i have ever owned.
I drove a 2002 twin of this truck for a decade. It’s still going strong with It’s subsequent owner.
A great powertrain combination, to be sure! The 2.7’s power us adequate and perfectly able to keep up with traffic.
The second to last generation of plain, honest Toyota trucks, IMO.
Clean, used Taco’s have commanded high prices for a while and this one is no exception. It’ll serve its next owner for years to come.
How about the mileage? The good ole SR? 67863
Tacomas sure hold their value. I bought mine new in 2009 and recently checked the KBB price guide. Holy Moly.
Lusted after my neighbor’s for many years that is just like this but gray. He only used it for home depot runs and to the dump. I think it has less than half this many miles on it. Finally, he decided he wasn’t using it and was going to trade it in. I told him don’t you dare. Let me know what they offer and I will match it. Next thing I know, he’s driving up in a new car and the truck is gone. Turns out my wife bought it for me and was hiding it. LOL! Now, of course, a year plus later he wants it back.
I will be watching to see where this ends up for sure! Not that I am going to sell it ever.
“I think [my neighbor’s truck] has less than half this many miles on it.”
Mileage on these hardly matters. They run, problem-free, almost forever.
Nice article, but (at least here in Honolulu) the streets are swimming with 2001-2004 4-door Gen 1 Tacomas. I have a Gen 2 Taco 4-door but am not too happy with the short bed so considering options… Still, they are great trucks in whatever configuration.
Haha good on your wife!
Toyota replaced the frame on my 05. I wish I still had it. V6 with the 5 spd👌🏽
The 2.7 is a good engine. Keep the valves adjusted though. They’re shim and buckets
I’ve always wanted one of these trucks but finding a good deal one this nice is easier said than done even after 20yrs. They truly are as you say worth their weight in gold. I’ll be watching to get an idea of how much one like this may cost me.
Sold on 8/9/2025 with a high bid of $15,701.
Steve R
Thank you, sir!